The comfortable application of creams and powders and the texture of human skin and hair are essential factors in the design of cosmetics and cosmetic raw materials. However, the mechanisms underlying these diverse and delicate tactile sensations are poorly understood. We developed a “biomimetic tactile sensing system” to reproduce the interfacial phenomena that occur on the skin surfaces and evaluated the “moist” and “dry” sensations of surface-treated cosmetic powders and the texture of organogel and dispersion formulations. This tactile sensing system consists of a finger model contact probe that mimics the fingerprint and mechanical properties of a human finger and a sinusoidal motion friction evaluation device that can reproduce natural and smooth motions. The finger model contact probe, which mimics the fingerprint and mechanical properties of a human finger, was designed such that the elastic modulus, which reflects hardness, and the surface energy, which affects adhesion, were comparable to those of human skin. In addition, grooves of hundreds of micrometers were engraved to imitate fingerprints. A scotch yoke mechanism that converts elliptical motion into sinusoidal motion was introduced into a sinusoidal motion friction evaluation device to reproduce natural and smooth motions. We analyzed the relationship between sensory evaluation and friction data for cosmetics and cosmetic ingredients and constructed a physical model of tactile sensation evocation. For example, the “moistness” of cosmetic powder was strongly felt when the friction coefficient in the sliding process was low, and a gap existed where the frictional force reached its maximum value. Commercially available makeup cosmetics and sunscreens were characterized based on their friction dynamics and classified accordingly. The wax derived from rice bran and rice paraffin was shown to have high oil-gelling ability, and the resulting gel was smooth to the touch, indicating that it is suitable as a raw material for lipstick and cleansing products.

Conjugated fatty acids are a promising ingredient for cancer prevention and treatment. Conjugated fatty acids are minor fatty acids that are rarely found in nature, although a wide variety of structures are known. In recent years, studies have been conducted to screen natural products containing conjugated fatty acids and to synthesize conjugated fatty acids using enzymes derived from natural products. As a result, it was found that the seed oils of Centranthus ruber and Valeriana officinalis, which belong to the Valerianaceae family, contain conjugated linolenic acid, which has a conjugated triene structure in the molecule. Furthermore, it was found that parinaric acid, a conjugated tetraenoic fatty acid, can be synthesized by adding α-linolenic acid to enzymes extracted from the brown alga Padina arborescens Holmes. These research results are expected to be useful in securing conjugated fatty acids in quantities that can withstand practical application. Recent studies have reported that the cytotoxic effect of conjugated fatty acids is due to a programmed cell death called “ferroptosis”. Many anticancer drugs exhibit anticancer activity through DNA modification, cell cycle arrest, angiogenesis inhibition, and epidermal growth factor receptor inhibition. Conjugated fatty acids, however, induce cell death through a mechanism distinct from these mechanisms and are therefore expected to be effective against cancers resistant to currently used anticancer drugs. The results of these studies will help to promote research on the use of conjugated fatty acids to overcome intractable cancers in the future.

In this study, the fluctuations in the oil content, total phenol, total flavonoid, radical scavenging capacity, phenolic constituent profiles and fatty acids of turpentine fruits during roasting of turpentine fruits and oils in the oven and microwave treatments were revealed. Total phenolic amounts of turpentine fruit and oils varied between 153.57 (oven) and 197.86 mgGAE/100 g (control) to 17.68 (control) and 30.65 mg GAE/100 g (oven), respectively. Total flavonoid values of the turpentine fruit and oils were characterized to be between 370.36 (microwave) and 567.50 mg/100 g (control) to 89.64 (oven) and 227.50 mg/100 g (microwave), respectively. While quercetin values of the turpentine fruits change between 171.73 (oven) and 330.88 mg/100 g (control), rutin amounts of fruits were defined to be between 3.66 (oven) and 10.00 mg/100 g (control). Catechin amounts of the turpentine fruits roasted in oven and microwave were specified to be between 3.42 (microwave) and 13.69 mg/100 g (oven). Oleic and linoleic acid contents of the oils extracted from raw and roasted turpentine fruits were assessed to be between 50.19 (oven) and 51.30% (control) to 22.89 (control) and 23.39% (oven), respectively. As a result, the phenolic components of turpentine oils were generally higher than those of turpentine fruits.

Among primary brain tumors, glioma has one of the highest fatality rates. Routine chemotherapy often faces off-target drug loss and sub-optimal drug availability at brain tissue. The present study aims at the development of transferrin-conjugated gemcitabine loaded poly (lactic co glycolic acid) nanoparticles (Tf-GB-PLGA-NPs) targeted strategy for brain cancer cell. GB-PLGA-NPs were prepared using solvent evaporation and nanoprecipitation method and then conjugated with Tf. The formulation was characterized for physicochemical parameters, in-vitro release, cytotoxicity, apoptosis (U87MG cell line), and in-vivo pharmacokinetic study. Tf-GB-PLGA-NPs showed 143±6.23 nm of particle size, 0.213 of PDI, –25 mV of zeta potential, and 77.53±1.43% of entrapment efficiency, respectively. Tf-GB-PLGA-NPs exhibited spherical morphology and sustained release of GB (76.54±4.08%) over 24 h. Tf-GB-PLGA-NPs exhibited significant (p < 0.05) cell inhibition against cell line (U87MG) than GB-PLGA-NPs and pure GB. The Tf-GB-PLGA-NPs exhibited higher U87MG apoptosis (61.25%) than GB-PLGA-NPs (31.61%). The Tf-GB-PLGA-NPs exhibited a significantly higher concentration in the brain than pure GB and GB-PLGA-NPs. Tf-GB-PLGA-NPs showed 11.16-fold higher AUC0-t (bioavailability) than pure GB solution and 2.23-fold higher bioavailability than GB-PLGA-NPs. The finding concludes that the Tf-GB-PLGA-NPs are an alternative potent carrier for GB to brain delivery for treating brain cancer.

The influence of calcium chloride (2% (w/v), 3% (w/v), 4% (w/v) or 5% (w/v)) as crosslinker on the performance of sodium alginate (SA) and anthocyanin extracted from black wolfberry (BWA) based films was observed. The results showed that after CaCl₂ treatment, the elongation at break reduced, but the water resistance, thermal stability, and tensile strength of SA/BWA films were significantly improved and they increased with the increase of CaCl₂ concentration. In which, 5%-CaCl₂ treatment endowed the films with optimal performance, which was specifically manifested by a decrease in the swelling ratio from complete dissolution to 163.4% within 60 minutes, water content from 24.9% to 13.1%, water vapor permeation (WVP) from 6.1 g·cm^–1·cm^–2·s^–1·Pa^–1·10^–12 to 1.6 g·cm^–1·cm^–2·s^–1· Pa^–1·10^–12, and an increase in water contact angle from 2.19° to 43.85°, tensile strength from 0.76 MPa to 13.15 MPa. Interestingly, CaCl₂ treatment slightly weakened the antioxidant activity (p < 0.05) but also had around 80% of DPPH radical scavenging rate and improved the visual color change of the film to pH. The films treated by 5%-CaCl₂ monitored the freshness of pork well. Therefore, comparing with traditional SA-based films, the CaCl₂ treated SA/BWA film is a better candidate for active and intelligent packaging application.

In this study, we investigated the effects of germination on the phytochemical content, antioxidant activity, and oxidative stability of soybean oil. Soybeans were germinated for different periods (0, 2, 4, 6-days). The germinated soybean oil (GSO) contained more α-tocopherol, phytosterols, and carotenoids, while there were no significant differences in fatty acid content. In particular, lutein accumulation was influenced by the modulation of phytoene synthase, lycopene ε-cyclase, and lycopene β-cyclase genes during soybean germination. Antioxidant activities in vitro were the most effective after treatment with 6-day GSO. Moreover, the oxidative stability of GSO was significantly enhanced compared to that of control soybean oil. These results were attributed to the increased content of phytochemicals in soybean oil during germination. This research holds promise not only for the development of functional foods owing to the increased phytochemical content but also for the food industry owing to the enhanced oxidative stability of soybean oil.

Water chestnut (Trapa japonica) is a thorny aquatic floating plant that contains hydrolyzable polyphenols (WCPs) such as eugeniin, 1,2,3,6-tetra-O-galloyl-β-d-glucopyranose (TGG), and trapain. Previous studies have revealed that WCPs have antioxidant properties and can suppress postprandial blood glucose elevation in mice and human participants. However, the functionality of WCPs in treating obesity and metabolic syndrome, which have become significant issues in recent years, remains unclear. Here, we aimed to determine the effects of WCPs on lipid metabolism. We initially investigated the effects of WCPs on pancreatic lipase in vitro. Among WCPs, eugeniin and trapain, which contain a hexahydroxybiphenyl group, particularly inhibited lipase activity. We also found that WCPs suppressed fat accumulation in mouse adipose progenitor 3T3-L1 cells. We compared the effects of WCPs on lipid metabolism among groups of mice (n=7 each) fed for four weeks without (standard control and high-fat (HF) diet controls) or with HFWP 0.5 or HFWP 1 supplemented with 0.5 and 1% WCPs, respectively. Subsequently, we examined lipid-related parameters in adipose tissue, liver, and blood. We found significantly lower plasma triacylglycerol content in the HFWP1 than in the HF group. These findings suggest that WCPs may help prevent the onset of obesity and metabolic syndrome.

One of the wild herbs that grows naturally in the springtime in Kurdistan’s mountainous regions is Eremurus robustus. The study aimed to detect the proximate analysis, polyphenols, fatty acid profile, and mineral composition in the leaves of Eremurus robustus. Proximate composition revealed it is a source of vitamin C, fiber, and protein. Nine phenolic compounds and 24 fatty acids were detected, along with 14 saturated and 10 unsaturated fatty acids using high-performance liquid chromatography (HP-LC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometers (GC-MS). Seventeen mineral compositions were found using an inductively coupled spectrophotometric technique. Vegetable trace metal concentrations can be assessed by comparing the daily diets of plants and humans. The research suggests that Eremurus robustus leaves can serve as nutritional supplements and functional foods, not just for therapeutic uses.

Preventing hyperlipidemia and the risk of cardiovascular disease are attractive to public health. Essential oils are extremely promising nutrients for use in the treatment of hyperlipidemia, whose effectiveness is closely related to its volatile composition. We extracted fingered citron essential oil (FCEO) with steam distillation, analyzed the chemical composition, and evaluated its effects on hyperlipidemia. We identified 25 volatile compounds of FCEO with GC/MS, of which the main constituents were limonene and γ-terpinene. This study explored the protective effects of FCEOs against diet-induced hyperlipidemia Syrian hamsters. FCEOs treatment ranges from 0.03% to 0.05% with a daily diet. As of 12 weeks later, we found that the administration of the FCEOs improved the serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (p < 0.05). Further, LDL-C/HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) ratios were significantly reduced (39.02–68.07 vs. 80.27). Simultaneously, the FCEOs had improved lipid metabolism and histopathology in the liver. These actions suggest the potential of FCEO as a valuable source of nutraceuticals in diet-based therapies.